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Easy Grilled Chicken Tacos

5 from 25 votes
Total 45 minutes
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These chicken grilled tacos are made with juicy grilled chicken (or any shredded chicken), corn, cilantro, lime, Cotija cheese, and fresh salsa. So easy and festive!!

chicken street tacos on wood serving board garnished with lime wedges
Table of Contents hide
1) Grilled chicken tacos
2) Ingredient notes
3) How to make grilled chicken tacos
4) Grilled taco assembly
5) Make-ahead instructions
6) Serving ideas
7) 📖 Recipe
8) Grilled Chicken Tacos Recipe

Grilled chicken tacos

Do you love chicken tacos as much as I do? If so, get over here and let’s get this party started! This chicken taco recipe is made with savory grilled chicken topped with fresh peach salsa or juicy mango salsa. Or make this recipe for pico de gallo with a few tomatoes. These tacos are off the hook with color, flavor, and texture. These tacos will be a HIT at your next party!

Ingredient notes

  • chicken - I'm using boneless skinless chicken breast for this recipe because it's lean and cooks quickly. I've included grilling instructions, but you can use any cooked shredded chicken for this grilled taco recipe.
  • olive oil - You'll need this to coat chicken breasts for the grill.
  • cumin, salt, and pepper - This is the simplest seasoning for chicken tacos, especially if you're using a robust, fruit salsa.
  • corn tortillas - Use white or yellow corn tortillas for this recipe.
  • salsa - Use homemade salsa or, for convenience, any packaged salsa will work.
  • corn - This adds a sweet flavor that pairs well with chicken and salsa. Use any corn you prefer.
  • Cotija cheese - A salty, crumbly Mexican cheese that seals the deal to flavor these tacos.
  • fresh cilantro and lime - Use these ingredients to garnish your grilled tacos.

How to make grilled chicken tacos

  1. (recommended) Rest chicken breasts at room temperature for 15 minutes to remove the chill. This helps it cook more efficiently. Note: Alternatively, you can do this after they have been seasoned in the next step.
  2. To prepare CHICKEN BREASTS, pat dry and lightly coat them with OLIVE OIL and season with SALT, PEPPER, and CUMIN.
  3. Preheat grill to medium. Brush the grates and coat with oil.
  4. Place chicken breasts in the center of preheated grill, close lid, and grill for 3-5 minutes, or until the chicken releases from the grill with no effort.
  5. Flip chicken breasts over to grill the other side and close grill lid. Turn the outside burners to MEDIUM heat and turn center burner OFF. This is known as MOM, medium-off-medium, which creates indirect heat under the chicken to prevent burning the surface.
  6. Continue grilling chicken breasts until they reach a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  7. Transfer chicken breasts off the grill, loosely cover, and rest about 5 minutes before cutting to allow the juices to redistribute.

Grilled taco assembly

Plan to use 1 to 2 ounces of cooked chicken breast for each taco.

  1. Brush or spray CORN TORTILLAS with oil and grill both sides over medium heat until lightly toasted.
  2. Distribute shredded chicken over warmed tortillas along with your favorite toppings, such as fresh salsa, corn, Cotija cheese, cilantro, and lime.
grilled chicken tacos on wood serving board garnished with lime wedges

Make-ahead instructions

You can make the components for grilled tacos a day or two ahead and assemble on serving day. This is super convenient for parties! Here's how...

  1. Make the salsa a day ahead and refrigerate.
  2. Prep garnish ingredients, such as corn, Cotija, cilantro, and lime, and refrigerate separately.
  3. Grill the chicken breast. Allow to cool completely, cover, and refrigerate. Or prepare it another way such as this shredded chicken Instant Pot method.
  4. When ready to serve, reheat the shredded chicken using your favorite method, slice it, warm the tortillas, assemble the tacos, and devour!

Serving ideas

📖 Recipe

grilled chicken tacos on wood serving board garnished with lime wedges

Grilled Chicken Tacos Recipe

Grilled chicken tacos are made with juicy chicken, corn, fresh salsa, and Cotija cheese. Grilled tacos are easy to make and so festive!!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total time45 minutes
Yield 12 tacos
Author Traci Antonovich
5 from 25 votes
Print Pin

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
  • 1 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • ¼ teaspoon Ground Cumin
  • pinch Salt and Pepper
  • 8-12 Corn Tortillas
  • 1 cup Salsa (any variety)
  • ½ cup Cooked Corn
  • 2 tablespoons Cotija Cheese

Optional garnish

  • Fresh Cilantro chopped
  • Lime Wedges

Equipment

Instructions

Chicken grilling instructions

  • (recommended) Rest chicken breasts at room temperature for 15 minutes to remove the chill for efficient cooking. This step can happen now or after step 3.
  • Pat CHICKEN BREASTS dry with a paper towel.
  • Coat chicken with OLIVE OIL and sprinkle SALT, PEPPER, and CUMIN over the surface. Set aside.
  • Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Brush the grates to clean, then coat with oil.
  • Place chicken breasts in the center of preheated grill, close lid, and grill for 3-5 minutes, or until the chicken effortlessly releases from the grill.
  • Flip chicken breasts over and close grill lid. Turn the outside burners to MEDIUM heat and turn center burner OFF. This is known as MOM, medium-off-medium, which creates indirect heat for more efficient cooking inside and out.
  • Continue grilling chicken breasts until they reach a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Transfer chicken breasts off the grill, loosely cover, and rest about 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Pull or shred chicken for tacos.

Assemble

  • Brush or spray CORN TORTILLAS with oil and grill both sides over medium heat until golden brown and warmed through.
  • Distribute shredded chicken over warm tortillas along with your favorite toppings, such as peach salsa or mango salsa, corn, Cotija cheese, cilantro, and lime.

Final step

Click stars to vote. Please visit 'Comments' below for reviews.

5 from 25 votes
Did you make this recipe? I'd love to see it!Follow @thekitchengirl on Instagram, snap a photo, and tag #thekitchengirl. This always makes my day!

Nutrition

Serving: 1taco | Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 113mg | Potassium: 222mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Vitamin C: 7.5mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 0.6mg
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Diet Gluten Free
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Comments

  1. Patty says

    What brand of corn tortillas do you like? I've tried several brands but not always enjoyed the ones in my grocery store.

    Reply

    • The Kitchen Girl says

      Hmmm, I don't have a favorite. I like them all LOL

  2. JB says

    5 stars
    Made these grilled chicken tacos with fresh peach salsa tonight. Awesome! Used some of the last peaches off our tree for this year. Totally worth it! Great recipe.

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Yes!! They're to die for when you have fresh peach salsa scooped over them 🙂

  3. Amanda says

    5 stars
    I just commented to my family that we'd be having chicken breasts for dinner, but wasn't sure exactly how I'd make them, and here it is! I love the pairing of the fresh peach salsa and corn kernels with these tacos. So perfect for using the best of the produce at the farm market! Dinner's ON!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Yayyyy! I agree that knowing how to grill chicken breasts is half the battle. Thanks SO much for stopping by to let me know you're enjoying this recipe, Amanda. Day made!

  4. Dana says

    5 stars
    Oh man, grilled chicken and peaches! I've never had that combo before and now I'm craving it. That is a *must* try for me this summer. A punch of sweet and tangy with the chargrilled flavor on that chicken would be perfect in tacos. And we LOVE rockin' new tacos in this house.

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Haha nice! Thanks for the kind words...and excitement! I know you'll LOVE this one, Dana 🙂

  5. Trish Bozeman says

    5 stars
    This is perfect for a summer night! And that peach salsa I could gobble up with a spoon. Another fantastic recipe, thanks!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks Trish! Peach salsa is my favorite way to use summer peaches 🙂

  6. Jenni LeBaron says

    5 stars
    Taco night is always a good time and these look fantastic. A good salsa really makes tacos sing and these look packed full of flavor and healthy! I also love that you reiterate that you should not pre-wash your chicken breasts because it doesn't do anything but spread germs - I only learned that in the past year or two!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      So glad you found this one helpful, Jenni...thanks for letting me know 🙂

  7. Debra says

    5 stars
    This peach salsa sounds like a fantastic addition to tacos...and we eat tacos several times a week. Thank you so much for enlightening me of that cooking technique, I had never even heard of it. Going to try that with other things as well.

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks Debra! Hope you love it! 🙂

  8. Marisa F. Stewart says

    5 stars
    What a great entertaining recipe! We LOVE tacos of all kinds but adding the peaches sounds like an amazing touch. We're having a family gathering next weekend and this recipe would be a great way to celebrate getting together.

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks Marisa...hope the tacos are a hit! Cheers!

  9. Daniela says

    5 stars
    These tacos sound like such a great alternative to your everyday grilled dishes. And I LOVE that they are so easy to make! That peach salsa sounds delicious; I might have to make a batch of it and just eat it on its own.

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Haha thanks Daniela! That peach salsa was made for eating with or without the tacos...all day long 😉

  10. Sandra Shaffer says

    5 stars
    Yes, also chicken taco fans, so we are always trying new flavors. This recipe is simple and flavorful (love cumin). The peach salsa really balances the cumin flavor. Definitely recommend making this before the peach season is over!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks Sandra! Yes, let's make ALL the peach salsa this season and devour it! 🙂

  11. Gloria says

    5 stars
    We LOVE tacos. Tacos of ALL kinds. These sound fantastic. Love the pairing of the chicken and peaches. I cannot wait for fresh fruit season here.....if it ever gets warm enough. This is the perfect summer entertaining recipe.

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks Gloria! I think you'll really enjoy this recipe 🙂

  12. Sarah says

    5 stars
    I love the bright colors of your peach salsa on this taco! I haven't made my own fruit salsa yet, I'll definitely have to try your recipe for our next taco night. Great tips on grilling the chicken with indirect heat, I need to remember that when I grill chicken breast since it's easy to overcook.

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks so much, Sarah! I'm so glad you're finding the recipe tips helpful 🙂

  13. Jessica Formicola says

    5 stars
    That peach salsa sounds incredible and so refreshing!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks so much Jessica! It's one of my fav, all-time salsas 🙂

  14. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

    5 stars
    I can totally see myself having several of these in one sitting! That salsa looks SO GOOD!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Get on over here, Shadi! These were made for sharing 🙂

  15. Stephanie says

    5 stars
    What a yummy way to switch up Taco night! That peach salsa sounds perfect!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks Stephanie! Glad you like the idea! 🙂

  16. Jacqueline Debono says

    5 stars
    Your peach salsa sounds amazing and I can imagine how good it tastes with chicken in these tacos! Yum!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks Jacqueline! Love hearing it put like that 🙂

  17. Lauren Vavala says

    5 stars
    Yum! I love these tacos! The peach salsa on top is such a great idea!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks Lauren! Glad you like the idea 🙂

  18. Sharon says

    5 stars
    I'm putting these tacos on my weekend plans for sure! The addition of the peach salsa makes them sound extra amazing.

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Yay Sharon...so glad to hear it! Yep, the peach salsa does something that no other traditional salsa does. Nothing against tomato salsa though 😉 Hope you enjoy them!!

  19. Beth says

    5 stars
    These grilled chicken tacos look simply amazing! I hear ya on the eating cold food!! Lol! We have a few peach trees too! I'm going to give you salsa a try!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Yay Beth, hope you do try the salsa...it's so easy to modify to, as you probably know 🙂 Hope you enjoy!

  20. Chris Collins says

    5 stars
    Oh yum! What an interesting combo, looks so scrummy!!!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks Chris! The flavor combo is great...especially with that Cotija cheese topper 🙂

  21. Marlynn says

    5 stars
    That peach salsa looks amazing! What a flavorful topping for grilled chicken tacos.

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks Marlynn...it's my fav summer treat! 🙂

  22. Shanika says

    5 stars
    Tacos are my favorite and there's nothing like Chicken tacos! Yum! Plus, this peach salsa---amazing!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks Shanika! Love hearing it put like that 🙂